Every Arsenal fan falls into the trap of looking for reasons behind the ‘problems’ the team might be having – is it because Henry is captain? Do Arsenal over-play? Do Arsenal shoot enough?
It’s easy to look at the negatives this season (I should know – I’ve done it enough!) but looking in perspective, things aren’t actually that bad are they? While Arsenal aren’t firing on all cylinders, we have lost 2 games just like Chelski and Liverpool have already lost 4. Manchester United have only lost one game but only a fool would predict that they wouldn’t lose another game before the season ends.
Statistically, Arsenal are in great shape – with the 2nd lowest number of goals conceded the league, and the 3rd highest number of goals scored.
The problem is according to this table, Arsenal top the table for the highest ratio of points dropped per goal conceded – the six goals we have let in has resulted in 12 points being dropped, which is a huge total.
On the postive side, Arsenal have played some pyrotechnic football (notably against CSKA and Reading) and we have had important players out injured to comeback, including Clichy, Senderos, Lauren, Diaby, Baptista and Freddie – when they come back Arsenal will have a really strong squad.
As I see it Arsenal can only get stronger as the season progresses.
Over the last couple of seasons, Chelski have made The Premiership such a result-orientated league that after a couple of defeats and a few draws fans will start to panic. And I’m one of those who have been sucked into it.
The attacking group of Hleb-Van Persie-Rosicky-Fabregas-Henry will be as devastating as the Bergkamp-Vieira-Pires-Freddie-Henry combination of a few seasons ago but like the latter will need time to gel and get into gear.
The signs shown at Reading are just a taster of what is to come and with Toure, Senderos and Gallas at the back things can only get better!